Bitter Creek Read Online Free Page B

Creek.”
    â€œLet them sleep, we do,” said Du Pré. “They sing at us now until they can sleep, cross over, you know. …”
    â€œI don’ know why me,” said Chappie.
    Du Pré laughed. He went to the cruiser and he got a bottle from under the seat and he broke the seal. He had some whiskey and he gave the bottle to Chappie.
    â€œThat old Benetsee, him,” said Du Pré, “I go along, he does not bother me until he does. Once him start, it don’t stop. …”
    â€œI don’t see him so much I am growing up here,” said Chappie. “I know who he is but see him maybe twice.”
    â€œYou were lucky, a time,” said Du Pré.
    â€œWho is he?” said Chappie. “Him Métis?”
    Du Pré shrugged. “Him old when Catfoot is a boy. …”
    â€œCatfoot,” said Chappie, “I remember him cursing one time, his drag line break. We were fishing nearby. Cussed pret’ good. Taught me new words. …”
    Du Pré nodded.
    There was more laughter.
    â€œThey are having a good time, them,” said Chappie. “I thought maybe we sweat, Bitter Creek people sing to Père Godin. …”
    â€œIt is west of here I think,” said Du Pré, “that is where we will look.”
    â€œWhy?” said Chappie.
    â€œMost the Métis they are near Helena or up, Mussellshell country, maybe Judith Basin. …”
    â€œThis is, hundred years ago maybe,” said Chappie.
    â€œLong time to wait,” said Du Pré, “in the dark.”
    â€œI don’t know I know things,” said Chappie. “Maybe they are in your blood. …”
    â€œYes,” said Du Pré.
    â€œSo what we do?” said Chappie.
    â€œFind Amalie,” said Du Pré. “See if she remembers anything, where they left from, where they were, how long they were running. …”
    â€œFind Amalie,” said Chappie. “You think Père Godin help?”
    Du Pré nodded.
    More laughter from the two old men down by the creek.
    â€œI go with you, we get to Canada,” said Chappie.
    Du Pré nodded.
    â€œMadelaine says you always find stories,” said Chappie. “You look for them?”
    â€œIt is like this,” said Du Pré. “I see a little and want to know more. … But you stay here, I must go alone. …”
    â€œYou were not in the lodge,” said Chappie.
    Du Pré shook his head. “Heard many voices singing,” he said. “But I think more than one person is too much for Amalie. …”
    There was a popping sound from behind the cabin, like faint gunfire, and then a shriek of pure terror. Silence.
    Du Pré put the top back on the whiskey. “We go now,” he said.

Chapter 5
    â€œTHAT GODDAMNED GUINEA PRICK,” said Booger Tom. The old cowboy’s long white mustache twitched with rage.
    Du Pré looked at him.
    â€œWater buffalo,” said Booger Tom. “Bart has bought some water buffalo and he is sending them here. I guess them danged yuppies like eatin’ water buffaloes along with their mow-ray eels and roots and bark. You ever seen a water buffalo?”
    Du Pré nodded.
    â€œOne dozen water buffalo arrivin’ from Australia,” said Booger Tom. “I was losin’ lots of money for him with cattle and horses, which is what he likes the most … for losin’ money …”
    Du Pré said nothing. He rolled a smoke.
    Booger Tom waved a computer-printed picture of a water buffalo. “Christ,” said the old cowboy.
    They were standing by the double gate at the bottom of the big pasture. A stock hauler appeared on the horizon, an eighteen-wheeler with a double-deck aluminum trailer.
    â€œI never thought I’d see the damned day …” said Booger Tom. “Hell, we could raise llamas. Or … what are them danged birds everybody’s so hot on?”
    â€œEmus,” said Du